sophia lui landscape architecture portfolio
flower petal: sumi ink, watercolor, gel pen 2019
resume
1.
kind
4.
pollination paradise
7.
edsa internship
2.
sustainable cemeteries
5.
golden garden
table of contents
3.
hug
6.
jewel hunt!
1. [ kind ] an aesthetic experimental garden
Site North Riverfront. Eugene, Oregon Studio Professor Michael Geffel, 2019 Project Description This project aims to revitalize the abandoned North Riverfront site in Eugene, Oregon, which is currently overgrown with undesirable invasive plants. My project is to create 10 experimental textural gardens through interconnected boardwalks. Visitors are invited to record their observations and preferences, as well as rank their favorite gardens at dispersed survey stations on the boardwalk. This experiment aims to discover human preferences for different kinds of texture through quantifying our aesthetic values, while creating pollinator gardens for our local insect population. Why is this Imporant? Creating spaces which ranks high on our aesthetic values will encourage more human activity in these areas. By creating aesthetic spaces that people love and use, we can ensure that these spaces will be well-taken cared of.
What is this Experiment? This experiment aims to change the perception of how humans categorize the good and bad-- in this case, the natives, naturalized, and invasives. rather than destroying all invasives due to fear of its origin, are we able to explore and discover how invasives can provide benefits to the landscape which it has settled in? Furthermore, can the blending of native and non-native plants provide for complete, resilient habitats?
aesthetics monitoring citizen science survey
date:
drop in the box by the garden which you find most aesthetically pleasing. thank you!
garden name: adjectives
list and mark adjective(s) which describes garden
fluffy light airy flexible feathery
spiky heavy dense stiff rough
texture spectrum
circle one description which best describes the garden, and mark along the spectrum fine
medium
coarse
what makes you like this garden?
Visitors are invited to "vote" for their favorite textural garden by participating in a survey. This survey will help better understand textural preferences.
Existing Basemap
any observations? (animals, weather, colors)
native to non-native plant ratio diagram ...% native ...% nonnative
A series of 10 experimental gardens are made up of different ratios of invasive and native plants, ranging from 10% native plants, to 100% native plants. Visitors are encouraged to participate in a survey to record and describe their favorite experimental garden.
70% 30%
20% 80%
80% 20%
40% 60%
50% 50%
30% 70%
90% 10%
Proposed Plan
10% 90%
60% 40%
100% 00%
a
0
1
a
b
How does the intermingling of native and non-native plants affect the texture and habitat potential of the riverfront?
existing plant palette
proposed plant palette
1
b
a2
b
a3
b
a4
b
2
3
2
4
3
Planting Palette a2 - clumping grass a3 - blackberry Rubus sp.
Planting Palette b1 - peas Fabaceae b2 - fennel Foeniculum vulgare b3 - queen annes lace Daucus carota
a2 - stinking willie Senecio jacobaea a3 - beard tongue Penstemon sp. a4 - chicory Cichorium intybus
b
b
b
b
b
c
d
e
b1
c1
d1
e1
b2
c2
d2
e2
b3
c3
d3
e3
b4
c4
d4
e4
b1 - tufted hair grass Deschampsia cespitosa b2 - blue mountain prairie clover Dalea ornata b3 - yarrow Achillea millefolium b4 - globe mallows Sphaeralcea sp.
c1 - fleabane Erigeron sp. c2 - camas Camassia quamash c3 - checker mallow Sidalcea sp. c4 - slender rush Juncus tenuis
d1 - bird vetch Vicia cracca d2 - slender wild oat Avena barbata d3 - meadow foxtail Alopecurus pratensis d4 - garden fennel Foeniculum vulgare
e1 - buttercup Ranunculus sp. e2 - soft brome Bromus hordeaceus e3 - perennial ryegrass Lolium perenne e4 - red fescue Festuca rubra
Native : Non-native Ratio Plan
1:9 10% native
bird vetch Vicia cracca
beard tongue Penstemon sp.
2:8 20% native
soft brome Bromus hordeaceus
3:7 30% native
stinking willie Senecio jacobaea chicory Cichorium intybus
4:6 40% native
slender rush Juncus tenuis
5:5 50% native
globe mallows Sphaeralcea sp.
red fescue Festuca rubra blue mountain prairie clover Dalea ornata
6:4 60% native
7:3 70% native
buttercup Ranunculus sp.
8:2 80% native
camas Camassia quamash
yarrow Achillea millefolium
9:1 fleabane Erigeron sp.
90% native
10:0 100% native
fennel Foeniculum vulgare
checker mallow Sidalcea sp.
slender wild oat Avena barbata
nt Combination Diagram
Legend native
non-native
Section A 1" = 50'
play mound
original path
60' interval survey dropbox
gather platform play mound
survey dropbox
interconnected boardwalk system
interconnected boardwalk original path
100% native garden
greenhouse gasses
fossil fuels
time loneliness
what are the issues with cemeteries today?
land scarcity
formaldehyde environmental impacts
cost
VISION This hybrid cemetery will include spaces for natural burial and other sustainable alternatives; this park-like cemetery will be an open-space for all to visit and enjoy.
GOALS AND OBJECTIVES Encourage People to Visit the Cemetery • create a human-scale environment • establish a park-like quality throughout the park • increase accessibility by bringing paths up to ada standards • improve signage and wayfinding Improve Ecology of the Site • plant phytoremediators to absorb toxins in the ground • incorporate sustainable alternatives such as natural burial • contribute to the urban forest
Provide Alternatives to Traditional Death-Care Practices • dedicate expansion areas to natural and sustainable death-care alternatives • plant trees for markers; using gis technology to identify exact locations of those who have passed • community tumulus for people to place recompose soil material
2. [ envisioning sustainable cemeteries ] comprehensive project
site lincoln memorial park and funeral home. portland, oregon studio professor liska chan, 2020 project description Cemeteries are usually expansive pieces of land, which are underutilized by the living. How many days in a year do we visit these places where we have placed our loved ones? Reflecting on my experiences of going to the cemetery has inspired me to try to change the uncomfortable emotions and experiences people have of cemeteries and death. My comprehensive project proposes a transformation of an existing, typical cemetery, into one which offers a spectrum of emotions, including peace and comfort, as well as ecological benefits, including using green burial and natural organic reduction. Including sustainable options and locations into the expansive territory, while establishing a park-like quality throughout the cemetery will encourage people to visit it. As people visit the cemetery, they will be guided on an experience which is defined by three landmarks of the site-- the tumulus, water, and forest.
The two most common ways of handling death in the United States are traditional burial and cremation. Bodies are typically embalmed before the burial or cremation process to delay decomposition. These two forms of death-care are concerning, due to its harmful environmental impacts.
Issues with Conventional Cremation burns fossil fuels process releases toxins into air
impacts of conventional burial: • wooden caskets: 30 million board feet of precious tro • concrete or steel-lined burial vaults: golden gate bridg
impacts of embalming: • formaldehyde, a known carcinogen, are pumped into the earth as the body and caskets eventually decompo • eight olympic sized swimming pools every year
toxins from embalmed body releases into the air
fossil fuels cremation process
toxins from emb rain back to t
embalmed body
opical hardwoods each year ge or highway from san francisco to portland
bodies– this chemical can later seep into ose
chemicals from cemeteries: paints and pigments, embalming, wood preservatives, protective finishes, and corrosion inhibators leach chemicals into the earth, including: arsenic, manganese, vanadium, cadmium, lead, nickel, copper, chromium, formaldehyde, barium, ammoniac, methyl, and xylene.
Traditional Burial
body
embalmed body
embalmed body placed in casket
balmed body the earth
40 years later...
embalmed body placed in casket, placed in burial vault
not much decomposition has occurred
perspective
tumulus mound - tumulus: monument to remember the dead. burial mounds during ancient times were made of earth and stone, and raised over graves historical purposes: • protecting the dead • honoring the dead • burying the dead together
plan
function and design theme: recompose tumulus nurtures the earth with nutrients, as it has done for us our entire lives. the tumulus represents community and togetherness; encourages bonding, joy addressing goal: • improving ecology of the site • provide alternatives to traditional death-care practices (green burial, recompose) Tumulus Precedents
section elevation
newgrange tumulus, ireland stone age-- 3,200 BC
noge-otsuka kofun tumulus, japan-- early fifth century
long barrow at all cannings, england-- 2014
grave creek mound (adena culture) west virginia-- 50 BCE
perspective
water significance of water in death: many cultures and religions around the world have a sacred relationship with water: purity, clarity, life, healing, renewal function and design theme: circular boardwalk in reservoir represents cycle of life; encourages reflection, healing, introspection, contemplation
plan
addressing goal: • improving ecology of the site • creating a scenic space for comfort Phytoremediating Plants pennywort Hydrocotyle umbellata • • • • •
cadmium (metal) chromium (metal) copper (metal) zinc (metal) sodium (metal)
water hyacinth Eichhornia crassipes
section elevation
• • • • • •
cadmium (metal) chromium (metal) copper (metal) mercury (metal) lead (metal) selenium (non-metal) duckweed Lemna minor
• • • • •
cadmium (metal) chromium (metal) copper (metal) zinc (metal) atrazine (pesticide)
perspective
forest symbolism: life, growth, death, rebirth, transition function and design theme: forest of phytoremediator trees are planted in-between existing grave markers to absorb toxic metals and chemicals in the ground
plan
trees represent the continuation of life, allowing families to continue to care for their loved ones addressing goal: improving ecology of the site, creating a scenic space for comfort Phytoremediating Trees and Plants cadmium • • • •
section elevation
willow tree (Salix vinimalis) viola flower (Viola baoshanesis) mouse-ear cress flower (Arabidopsis thaliana) norway maple (Acer platanoides) pesticides
• • •
hybrid poplar trees: Populus deltoides x nigra imperial carolina poplar (Populus x canadensis ‘Imperial’) zinc
• • •
little-leaf linden (tilia cordata) mouse-ear cress flower (arabidopsis thaliana) norway maple (acer platanoides) norway maple*
additional metals which this tree can absorb include: • arsenic • copper • thallium • lead
Phytoremediator Spacing Diagram
The Ritual Experience Procession
3. [ hug ] indigenous spaces: housing for urban native americans
Site West Eugene, Oregon Studio Professor Javier Bonnin, 2019 Architecture Studio Project Description The goal of this studio project is to translate the caring relationship indigenous people have with the land back to Amazon Creek, while simultaneously creating safe and welcoming spaces for the urban Native American community in Eugene, Oregon. This studio delves deeply into Native American culture and traditions, and incorporates the guidance and knowledge from members of the Native American community, including Native American architect, Johnpaul Jones. The site of this project is a block which cuts through Amazon Creek. Amazon Creek has gone through many changes over the years; once a healthy and dynamic riparian ecosystem has slowly been stripped away and converted into a lifeless, rigid water container. The goal of this project is to translate the caring relationship the indigenous Kalapuya people have with the land back to Amazon Creek.
Conceptual Diagram: Restoring Amazon Creek
1.
Get rid of channelized creek. Adapt to flood flows.
4.
Increase riparian plantings to stabilize bank and to provide habitat for native animals.
2.
Daylight the creek: Create a complex channel system to restore the natural channel structure. Add gravel bars.
5.
Create an urban forest to increase biological diversity.
3.
Create habitat complexity. Add large downed wood and boulders.
6.
Hug the creek!
Contextual Plan
General Site Plan
The residential and commercial (market) buildings respond to the meandering curves of a restored Amazon Creek. The residential buildings are for the urban Native American community, and aims to reconnect the intimate relationship one has with the landscape.
The northeastern portion of the block is primari portion of the block is intended for Native Amer room is achieved through large, structural conif outdoor space dedicated for Native American c
urban forest
riparian trees and plantings for bank stabilization
groundwater recharge
ily for public use. The southwestern rican use. An outdoor landscape fers. This portion of the site is an ceremonies and gatherings.
large downed wood and boulders for habitat
4. [ pollination paradise ] design conceptualization
Site University of Oregon Eugene, Oregon Studio Professor Mark Eischeid, 2018 Project Description Historically, the Women’s Memorial Quadrangle was a space dedicated to a woman’s lifestyle and daily activities. Today, this space exists as an open lawn with trees. The only element which strongly references its historical context is of the Pioneer Mother statue, centered in front of a brick retaining wall. For my studio project, I redesigned the existing Women’s Memorial Quadrangle to create a stronger sense of female identity for women on campus. I have chosen to use the lotus flower and butterfly as inspiration for the design. These motifs are symbols for women and femininity. Both motifs represent how women can thrive and become influential members in a male-dominated society. As well as preserving the historical significance of the site, the resdesign also aims to bring in monarch butterflies and other pollinators by incorporating milkweed and varying grasses into the space.
Perspective Collage
Plan
Form Analysis Parti
Circulation
Inspiration
Perspective Collage
5. [ golden garden ] planting plan design conceptualization
Site West Eugene, Oregon Studio Professor Arica Duhrkoop-Galas, 2017 Project Description The Golden Garden planting plan conveys a modernist, minimalist, and soothing garden through planting design and selections. During the winter time, a strong evergreen structure of sculptural, feathery-textured pine trees serves as a backdrop for light colored plants, including pale grasses, snowberries, and Aspen tree trunks. During the fall time, the garden turns into a brilliant gold color. Ribbons of golden leaves from Ginkgo, Linden, and Aspen trees transforms the place into a majestic garden.
winter
spring
fall plant palette
6. [ jewel hunt! ] difficult landscapes overlook field school
Site Waverly, Pennsylvania Fuller Center for Productive Landscapes Professors and Resident Art Instructors Michael Geffel, Gwen Cohen, Isaac Cohen, 2019 Project Description The Overlook Field School offers selected students the unique opportunity to live and study at Overlook, a 400-acre property originally designed by the Olmsted brothers. This historical estate has evolved into a cultural landscape, serving as an ideal location for students to learn and explore the connections between landscape and culture. The theme of the 2019 Overlook Field School was Difficult Landscapes. Oftentimes, these are landscapes which people struggle to manage, design, understand, and appreciate. Through my explorations at Overlook, I noticed that the “difficult” parts of the site-- characterized by heavy curtains of mosquitos, and rocky and muddy terrain-were oftentimes places of unnoticed ephemeral beauty. Jewelweed (Impatiens capensis), a delicate, small, bright-orange cone-shaped flower decorate these difficult landscapes. Although this plant is ubiquitous, many people fail to notice its gentle beauty, as they rush through these difficult areas. Through drawings, temporary installations, and instruments, I have have attempted to distill the beauty and essence of the Jewelweed plant, and abstracted its relationship with places we believe to be difficult landscapes.
Abstraction and Observation Drawings I visited my 1 acre site, The Spring, several times a day throughout the week to record my observations and difficulties experienced. After synthesizing my observations and new findings, we were tasked with drawing out our chosen “difficulty of focus” at multiple scales. My drawings include the Jewelweed petals at a microscale, the human scale, and lastly, the Jewelweed plant concentrations at a site scale. Materials: Watercolor, Sumi Ink, Gold Foil, Chalk Pastel, Charcoal, Graphite, Wintergreen Transfer, Micron Pens, Pencil, White Gel Pen
Temporary Landscape Installation: Jewel Hunt! My landscape installation, Jewel Hunt!, is situated above a small spring located on my site. Small square mirrors are scattered underneath Jewelweed patches, reflecting back an image of the orange flower. These small mirrors represent the underside of the Jewelweed leaf when submerged underwater. The centerpiece of my installation is a bright orange traffic cone which sits on top of a long rectangular mirror above the spring water. The centerpiece is an abstraction of the relationship between water and the Jewelweed plant, while also serving as a reminder for people to stop and notice the beauty of Jewelweed around them. Materials: Traffic Cone, Mirrors, Plastic Orange Mesh
Instrument: The Hygromirror
The Overlook Field School concludes with a showcase of instruments which students have created to interpret the difficulties of their site to a larger audience. Jewelweed (Impatiens capensis) is a common plant which often grows in moist, semi-shady forested areas. Jewelweed is easily recognizable by its bright orange, droopy cone-shaped flowers. The underside of its leaves beautifully glimmer silver under water. Located in the Northern tip of Lily Lake is The Spring of the Overlook Farm. Jewelweed is extremely prevalent in this area of the property, especially where there are water sources. Due to its intense need for hydration, Jewelweed oftentimes is found in high moisture areas. My instrument, The Hygromirror, is an interpretation and abstraction of the relationship between water and the plant. The Hygromirror is used to measure the humidity of a place; modeling a greenhouse, the orange mirrors are used to reflect heat, and capture condensation. The trapped moisture from the air will drip down the sides of the mirror, into a glass flower-shaped funnel and onto a piece of watercolored paper. The dilution of watercolor underneath the funnel is used as a visual measurement to see how much humidity is in the air. Materials: Orange Spray Paint, Wooden Picture Frame, 2x2 Wood Posts, 1x1’ Mirrors, 1x1’ Glass, Fishing Line, Eye Hooks, Glass Funnel Light Fixture, Watercolored Paper
Lumion Rendering Iterations
7. [ edsa ] internship work Location Fort Lauderdale, Florida Duration June 1, 2021 to January 31, 2022 Teams I worked with two teams during my internship: USNE (US Northeast) and the China team. I maintained constant communication between both teams to identify areas where I could assist for maximum group efficiency to meet deadlines. Tasks Diagrams, modeling, rendering mockups, section mock-ups, CAD drafting and revisions, area takeoffs, case studies, photoshop masterplans, indesign deliverables Programs Rhino, Lumion, Enscape, AutoCAD, Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign
Enscape Rendering Iterations
Case Study
Site Diagram
CAD Section Revision
Photoshop Section Mock-Up
Diagrams
thank you